Method of moth-proofing fabrics



Patented 0a. 23, 1928. i

HILTON IRA JONES, OF WILM IETTE, ILLINOIS.

METHOD OF MOTH-PfiOOFING FABRICS.

No Drawing.

My invention relates to a method of mothproofing fabrics and it consists in the steps hereinafter set orth. n

In a prior application, No. 94,357, filed March 12, 1926, I disclose a method of mothproofing fabrics which involved the use of heavy poisonous and radio-active metallic soaps. The method set forth in said pending application is very satisfactory save for the one fact that the soaps so prec1pitated in the fabric are slowly removed in the process of dry-cleaning and are still more rapidly removed by washing with hot soap solutions.

An object of my invention is to provide a process of moth-proofing fabrics which will permit continuous boiling with such solvents as dry-cleaners naphtha, ether, carbon-tetrachloride and the like.

A further object is to provide a simple process by means of which fabrics may be renderend moth-proof and in which the precipitates resist prolonged boiling in strong soap solutions.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In carrying out my invention, I make use of a solution of casein in place of the soap solution. The caseinates of the heavy metals, such as lead, copper, mercury, bismuth, thallium, and the like, and of the rare-earth metals, such as cerium, thorium,

lanthanum, and of the radio-active metals, especially uranium, are all in this way fixed uponthe fiber in such condition as to be unaffected'by the methods of cleaning which are ordinarily used.

In applying the method of fixing the metallic ions to the fiber of the cloth, I

- may cite as an example the following:

A quantity of insoluble acid casein of "granular form known to the-trade as Argentine. is dissolved in water, preferably 1 part of casein to 40 parts of water, and enough borax is mixed in with the solution to neutralize the acid in the casein, say

to of the amount of casein. This solution is heated in any suitable vessel, such as a double boiler, to substantially 140 F. and

' is stirred meanwhile until it has passed into a smooth colloid condition resembling skimmed milk. This solution I will designate as Solution A. I next take asolution of a. metallic salt whose ions it is desired to fix upon the goods. Thus I may use chlorides,

I a rare earth metal.

Application'flled January 24, 1827. Serial No. 183,311.

acetates, or any water soluble salt of the metals mentioned above. As an example, I may use cerium chloride and mix 1 part with 40 parts of water. This solution I will term Solution B.

The fabric, yarn, leather or other goods to be treated are first run through Solution A and thoroughly wetted with it; then wrung out and passed at once into Solution 15. This second Solution B recipitates the caselnate s. The goods are tiien wrung out, washed in water to remove excess ofthe metallic salt, and dried. The fabrics treated w1th this method have water-proof qualities, although they are not so water-proof as those treated with the corresponding metalhc soaps, but since the primary object of this invention is moth-proofing, mildew-proofing and mold-proofing fabrics and the retention of these qualities when the goods are cleaned, my object has been attained.

In case greater water-proofing should be desired, I have found that it-is possible to take an easily hydrolyzed wax-like substance,

such as rosin or beeswax, and treat it with an alkali, such as ammonium hydroxide, and then with water, and in this way I obtain a colloidal emulsion of the wax-alkali combination which may be mixed with casein in all proportions and-that it also precipitates with the same metals as does the casein. BY using this combination, an extreme waterproofness may be obtained without lessening to any degree the insolubility of the caseinate. Thus I may take one pound of beeswax and melt it, adding anexcess of'ammonium hydroxide and 40 partsof water. This will form a solution which, as stated above, may. be mixed with the casein in all proportions and which when used will render the goods water-resistant as well as mothproofing them and rendering them unsu'sceptible to mildew or mold.

I claim:

1. The herein described steps in a process of moth-proofing fabrics, which consists in first treating the fabric with an aqueous solution of casein and subsequently treating the fabric with an aqueous solution of a salt pf 2. The herein described steps in a process of moth-proofing fabrics, which consists in treating the fabric with a neutralized aqueous solution of casein and subsequently treating the fabric with an aqueous solution of a salt of a rare earth metal.

3. The herein described steps in a process of moth-proofing fabrics, which consists in lirst treating the fabric with a neutralized aqueous solution of acid casein and subsequently treating the fabric with an aqueous solution of a salt of a rare earth metal.

4. The herein described steps'in a process of moth-proofing and water-proofing fabrics, which consists in mixing with a neutral ized aqueous solution of casein a colloidal emulsion of an easily hydrolyzed wax, treating fabric with the mixture, and subsequently treating the fabric with an aqueous solution of a salt of a rare earth metal.

5. The herein described steps in a process of moth-proofing and water-proofing fabrics, which consists in mixing a neutralized aqueous solution of acid casein with a colloidal emulsion formed by treating an easily hydrolyzed wax-like substance with an alkali, passing the fabric through the mixture, wringing out the fabric and passing it through an aqueous solution ofa salt of a rare earth metal.

6. The herein described steps in a process of moth-proofing and water-proofing fabrics, which consists in mixing a neutralized aqueous solution of acid casein with a c-ol loidal emulsion formed by treating beeswax with ammonium hydroxide, passing the fabric through the mixture, wringing out the fabric and passing it through an aqueous solution of a salt of a rare earth metal.

' HILTON IRA JONES. 

